Land Rover is ending production of its iconic Defender model. Photo: Supplied

Featured in James Bond movie Skyfall and Tom Cruise film Edge of Tomorrow, the Defender name can be traced back to the early 1990s.

But effectively, the popular 4x4 vehicle, which is exported around the world, represents the continuation of the first Land Rover which came on to the scene in April 1948 and was modelled on the war-time jeeps.

Jim Holder, editorial director of British magazines Autocar and What Car?, said Defenders "appeal to every level of society".

He told the Press Association: "It's a classless vehicle. Anyone can drive it. You might be a farmer trying to get over the muddiest field or it might be the Queen driving around Windsor. Neither would surprise you if you saw it.